lol I read that this morning and thought the exact same thing. With each new crazy contract handed out to average bigs, Bargnani looks more and more valuable!

lol that contract is pretty damn horrible, but not as horrible as the max contract that they gave to Lopez. I mean his contract entitles him $61 million in 4 years. Lopez doesn't play any defense whatsoever. He rebounds just as bad as Bargnani and not to mention he only played 5 games last season due to an ankle injury. You're really gonna give an injured center who doesn't play defense or rebound a four year $61 million contract?

Bargnani's contract is extremely valuable, have you seen what 7footers are getting paid to put up 15 and 9 (Hibbert = 12 & 9), bargnani will put up 20 and 6 any night easliy and we are paying him just 10 mil a season - can anyone name any other player who is basically ungardable by 90% of the NBA and getting paid less

HoopsWorld - Six NBA Players Primed To Breakout

2. Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors

When All-Star Chris Bosh left Toronto in 2010, Andrea Bargnani was expected to carry the offensive load and prove he was deserving of the number one pick in the 2006 draft. While he averaged 21.4 points per game, it was not a breakout season as the Raptors lost 60 games and Bargnani missed significant time with a calf injury. Last season Bargnani showed why statistics are not necessarily the only indication of a breakout year. For 13 games, Bargnani averaged 23.5 points per game before he injured his calf the second time, but it was his vastly improved defense under the guidance of new head coach Dwane Casey that indicated a breakout season might be in progress. Bargnani missed half of last season to injury and the pending breakout died with the missed games.

Bargnani is expected to start next season like he started last season and the hope is he avoids the fluky injuries that has cost him so many games recently. A healthy Bargnani will finally have the breakout season expected from a number one overall draft pick.

Bargnani gets some love from HOOPSWORLD for breakout year in 2012/13

#2 on the list of players primed for a breakout season ... sweet.

2. Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors

When All-Star Chris Bosh left Toronto in 2010, Andrea Bargnani was expected to carry the offensive load and prove he was deserving of the number one pick in the 2006 draft. While he averaged 21.4 points per game, it was not a breakout season as the Raptors lost 60 games and Bargnani missed significant time with a calf injury. Last season Bargnani showed why statistics are not necessarily the only indication of a breakout year. For 13 games, Bargnani averaged 23.5 points per game before he injured his calf the second time, but it was his vastly improved defense under the guidance of new head coach Dwane Casey that indicated a breakout season might be in progress. Bargnani missed half of last season to injury and the pending breakout died with the missed games.

Bargnani is expected to start next season like he started last season and the hope is he avoids the fluky injuries that has cost him so many games recently. A healthy Bargnani will finally have the breakout season expected from a number one overall draft pick.

I think with Lowry and possibly Fields helping with the perimeter defense, AB will hopefully be left to do what he can do half decently on defense (defending 1-on-1) and a little less of what he doesn't do well (help defense).

I think with Lowry and possibly Fields helping with the perimeter defense, AB will hopefully be left to do what he can do half decently on defense (defending 1-on-1) and a little less of what he doesn't do well (help defense).

Bargnani is actually a solid on-ball defender. In the post, he improved significantly, not to mention his Pick and roll defense improved as well. A good defensive system can fix flaws on an individual player's defense, for example last season. Bargnani did a good job of help defense even with Calderon and Derozan guarding on the perimeter.

The number of shots he gets should be reduced this season with Lowry and DeMar entering a contract year, but fully expect Andrea to have a good year. If he can stay healthy and his defense continues to improve he could sneak into the All Star game.